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Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet The definition of an oxymoron, according to the Random House Webster’s Dictionary, is “a figure of speech that uses seemingly contradicting statements” such as “cruel kindness” and “dove-feathered” raven. Oxymorons are used in many fine books, such as Moby Dick, Hamlet, Lord of the Rings, and lastly Romeo and Juliet. Most of the time authors use oxymorons to express the conflict in their character’s hearts. Oxymorons are also used in describing an object or feeling. For instance in Moby Dick the captain describes the whale as the “ugliest beauty” he had ever seen. Oxymorons can also be used I speeches, plays and poems. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare uses oxymorons to express and show the conflict in Juliet’s heart when she learns that her husband has killed her favorite cousin. In Act Two of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet adores Romeo and is willing to leave all that is dear to her heart, even her family, to stay with him. Juliet declares, “Deny thy father and refuse they name / Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love / And I’ll no longer be a Capulet” (2.2.37-9). She thinks he is perfect. Later she gushes, “Take him and cut him out in l